ADVANCED RELEASE

EMCDDA technical report on the new psychoactive substance N,N-

diethyl-2-[[4-(1-methylethoxy)phenyl]methyl]-5-nitro-1H-
benzimidazole-1-ethanamine (isotonitazene)

Explanatory note: In the interests of public health protection the EMCDDA is releasing this
report before formal copy editing and page layout in the EMCDDA house style. The final
report will be available on the EMCDDA website in due course.

Authors: Michael Evans-Brown1, István Ujváry2, Joanna De Morais1, Rachel Christie1,

Anabela Almeida1, Rita Jorge1, Ana Gallegos1, Roumen Sedefov1

1
European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Praça Europa 1, Cais do Sodré,
1249–289 Lisbon, Portugal

2
iKem BT, Búza u. 32, Budapest 1033, Hungary

Recommended citation: EMCDDA (2020), EMCDDA technical report on the new

psychoactive substance N,N-diethyl-2-[[4-(1-methylethoxy)phenyl]methyl]-5-nitro-1H-
benzimidazole-1-ethanamine (isotonitazene), EMCDDA, Lisbon.

© European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 2019 Praça Europa 1, Cais do
Sodré, 1249–289 Lisbon, Portugal

Tel: +351 211210200

Email: info@emcdda.europa.eu

Web: www.emcdda.europa.eu

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Purpose

The purpose of this technical report to provide an analyses of the available information on
N,N-diethyl-2-[[4-(1-methylethoxy)phenyl]methyl]-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazole-1-ethanamine
(commonly known as isotonitazene), an opioid analgesic that has recently emerged on the
drug market in Europe, to support a risk assessment of the substance that has been
requested by the European Commission in accordance with Article 5c of Regulation (EC)
No 1920/2006 (as amended).

Parts of this report were prepared under an EMCDDA contract (ref. CT.20.SAS.0017.1.0).

Statement regarding the United Kingdom

The reference period for this technical report includes 2019 and 2020 (up to the time of
writing). The United Kingdom left the European Union as of 1 February 2020. However,
during the transitional period, the United Kingdom continues to participate in the European
Union Early Warning System on new psychoactive substances. Unless stated otherwise, for
the purpose of this report, the term ‘Member States’ shall include the United Kingdom.

Information sources

The information in this technical report is derived from:

• Information reported by the Member States, Turkey, and Norway to the EMCDDA and
Europol in accordance with the requirements of Article 5a and Article 5b of Regulation
(EC) No 1920/2006 (as amended).

• Information reported by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the European

Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
(ECDC), and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to the EMCDDA in
accordance with the requirements of Article 5b of Regulation (EC) No 1920/2006 (as
amended).

• A review of the benzimidazole opioids commissioned by the EMCDDA

(CT.20.SAS.0017.1.0).

• Information collected by the EMCDDA through searches of open source information,

including the scientific and medical literature, patents, official reports, grey literature,
online drug discussion forums and related websites, and online vendors selling
isotonitazene.

Search strategy

Literature searches used both chemical structure and textual queries in online databases;
searches were conducted in March 2020. The retrieved publications were then scanned for
additional relevant references (snowballing technique).

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SciFinder® was searched by exact structure-based search. PubMed and Web of Science
were searched for ‘isotonitazene’ and the IUPAC name of this compound stated in this
document. The references were screened for relevance and included in the review where
appropriate. Additional references were gathered from the sources mentioned in the
collected papers.

Terminology and definitions

The terminology and definitions used in this technical report are based on those used for the
operation of the EU Early Warning System on new psychoactive substances, including those
related to relevant internal EMCDDA processes. They can be accessed at:
http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/system/files/publications/12213/downloads/Guidance%20Not
e%201-%20Terminology%20and%20definitions.pdf

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms and definitions are for operational use only and do not
have legal meaning. They may differ from those used in other settings and by other
organisations (EMCDDA, 2019).

Acknowledgements

The EMCDDA would like to thank the following for their contribution in producing this
technical report:

• the Early Warning System (EWS) correspondents of the Reitox national focal points
(NFPs) and experts from their national EWS networks;

• the Europol national units (ENUs) and Europol Project Synergy;

• the national competent authorities responsible for human and veterinary medicinal
products in the Member States, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein;

• the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Food
Safety Authority (EFSA), and the European Commission;

• Peter Blanckaert, Coordinator Belgian Early Warning System Drugs (BEWSD),

Sciensano, Belgium.

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Table of contents

1. Summary 6
2. Chemical and physical properties, methods and the precursors used for manufac-
ture or extraction 9
2.1 Background ..................................................................................................................... 9
2.2 Names and chemical structure ...................................................................................... 10
2.3 Physical properties ........................................................................................................ 12
2.4 Methods and chemical precursors used for the manufacture or extraction .................... 13
2.5 Methods for identification and analysis .......................................................................... 14
2.6 Dosage regimens .......................................................................................................... 16
3. Legitimate use 17
3.1 Summary ...................................................................................................................... 17
3.2 Medical use ................................................................................................................... 17
3.3 Industrial, commercial, and scientific use ...................................................................... 18
4. Pharmacological and toxicological properties 18
4.1 Summary ...................................................................................................................... 18
4.1 Pharmacodynamics....................................................................................................... 19
4.2 Psychological and behavioural effects........................................................................... 21
4.3 Safety pharmacology .................................................................................................... 21
4.4 Pharmacokinetics .......................................................................................................... 22
4.5 Toxicology ..................................................................................................................... 23
4.6 Abuse liability and dependence producing potential ...................................................... 24
5. Extent and patterns of use, availability, and potential for diffusion 26
5.1 Summary ...................................................................................................................... 26
5.2 Information from seizures .............................................................................................. 28
5.3 Information from collected samples ............................................................................... 29
5.4 Information from biological samples .............................................................................. 29
6. Health risks 29
6.1 Summary ...................................................................................................................... 29
6.2 Acute health effects....................................................................................................... 30
6.3 Chronic health effects ................................................................................................... 32
7. Social risks 32
7.1 Individual social risks .................................................................................................... 33
7.2 Possible effects on direct social environment ................................................................ 33
7.3 Possible effects on society as a whole .......................................................................... 33
7.4 Economic costs ............................................................................................................. 33

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7.5 Possible effects related to the cultural context, for example marginalisation.................. 33
7.6 Possible appeal to specific population groups within the general population ................. 33
7.7 Involvement of criminal groups in the manufacture, distribution and distribution methods,
and trafficking ..................................................................................................................... 34
8. Other relevant information 34
8.1 Information on restrictive measures .............................................................................. 34
9. References 35

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1. Summary

During the mid-1950s, attempts to develop better and safer opioid analgesics led to the
discovery of a series of 2-benzylbenzimidazole compounds with levels of analgesic potency
several orders of magnitude higher than that of morphine. This group of structurally distinct
opioid analgesics includes isotonitazene, the subject of this technical report, as well as
etonitazene and metonitazene which are closely related homologues, and clonitazene. Both
etonitazene and clonitazene are controlled under the United Nations Single Convention on
Narcotic Drugs of 1961 (ECAPD, 1961; UNODC, 2019a)

Although isotonitazene was first synthesised in the mid-1950s (Hoffmann et al., 1959;
Hoffmann et al. 1960; Hunger et al., 1960b), no additional reports related to the substance
could be found until its identification on the illicit drug market in 2019 (Blanckaert et al.,
2020; EMCDDA, 2020a; Ujváry, 2020).

In Europe, isotonitazene is monitored as a new psychoactive substance by the EMCDDA in

accordance with Council Framework Decision 2004/757/JHA (as amended) and Regulation
(EC) No 1920/2006 (as amended) (EMCDDA, 2020a). The substance has been available on
the drug market in Europe since at least April 2019. As isotonitazene has only recently
emerged on the drug market, there is limited information on the substance. In particular,
formal epidemiological studies have not been conducted, which limits understanding of the
frequency and patterns of use of isotonitazene. As of 6 May 2020, isotonitazene is the only
substance from the 2-benzylbenzimidazole series of opioid analgesics to be notified to the
EMCDDA (1).

As isotonitazene has only recently emerged on the drug market in Europe, it is important to
note that its presence on the market and as the cause of serious adverse events (such as
from acute poisonings presenting to hospital emergency rooms and medico-legal death
investigations) may be undetected since the substance is not routinely screened for in some
laboratories. An additional issue is that concentrations of isotonitazene in biological samples
are typically low to sub-nanogram per millilitre which highlights a need for increased
analytical sensitivity when testing for the substance. It is also important to note that, in some
settings, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (ECDC, 2020; EMCDDA, 2020b; WHO, 2020) may have
reduced the capacity of early warning systems, including forensic science and toxicology
laboratories, to detect and report events involving isotonitazene.

As of 28 March 2020, the EMCDDA has received reports that isotonitazene has been
identified in six Member States: Belgium, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Sweden, and the United
Kingdom. These detections relate to police seizures reported by Estonia, Germany, and
Latvia; a customs seizure reported by Sweden; a collected sample reported by Belgium; and
biological samples from a death case reported by the United Kingdom. While the detected
quantities are relatively small, they should be seen within the context of the possible high

(1) In accordance with Council Framework Decision 2004/757/JHA (as amended) and Regulation (EC) No 1920/2006 (as
amended).

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potency of isotonitazene. The most recent identification of isotonitazene reported to the
EMCDDA is from a seizure made by police in Latvia in January 2020.

Although isotonitazene has not been formally studied in humans, a study published in 2019
has demonstrated that it is a highly potent, full mu-opioid receptor (MOP) agonist in vitro
(Blanckaert et al., 2020), while an animal study published in 1960 has demonstrated that it
has potent morphine-like centrally-mediated analgesic effects (Hunger et al., 1960b). Due to
its lipophilicity, isotonitazene is expected to be rapidly absorbed and readily cross the blood-
brain barrier. Taken together, this information strongly suggests that isotonitazene will act as
an opioid analgesic in humans. The major pharmacological effects of opioid analgesics are
due to their activation of opioid receptors, and, in particular, the mu-opioid receptor. Besides
their analgesic properties, a notable feature associated with opioid analgesics is that they
cause dose-dependent respiratory depression (slowing down of breathing), in which
overdose can be life-threatening. Other additional pharmacological effects include miosis,
sedation, bradycardia, hypothermia, constipation, physical dependence, and changes in
mood such as euphoria (Herz, 1993; Kieffer, 1999; Pasternak and Pan, 2013; Pattinson,
2008; Romberg et al., 2003).

Based on the available pharmacological information, and similar to other opioid analgesics,
the most serious acute risk from the use of isotonitazene in humans is likely to be from
respiratory depression, which can lead to apnoea, respiratory arrest, and death (Pattinson,
2008; Romberg et al., 2003; White and Irvine, 1999). Compounding this risk is that
isotonitazene is the first of the 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids to be identified on the drug
market in recent years, and users have no experience with this group of opioids (such as
how to dose the substance and the effects it causes) which may increase the risk of
accidental overdose and cause life-threatening poisoning. This risk will be especially high if
users are unaware that they are using isotonitazene, which may be the case when it is sold
at street-level on the illicit opioid market. While clinical experience in treating poisonings
caused by isotonitazene have not been reported, based on the pharmacological profile of
the substance, naloxone is expected to work as an antidote and reverse respiratory
depression (Boyer, 2012; Kim and Nelson, 2015). There is no information on the chronic
health effects of isotonitazene. Similar to other opioids, the chronic health risks might share
some similarities to those seen with established illicit opioids, such as heroin and fentanyl;
this may include dependence.

In Europe, a total of two deaths involving isotonitazene have been reported to the EMCDDA
by Germany and the United Kingdom; few additional details are currently available on these
cases. Deaths have also been reported in Canada (3 cases) (Toxicovigilance Canada, 2019)
and the United States (18 cases) (Krotulski et al., 2020). In all cases, the role of
isotonitazene in the deaths is unknown. In the deaths reported from the United States, at
least some of the individuals were high risk drug users and included people who had a
history of injecting opioids such as heroin. Polydrug use, especially use of two or more
central nervous system (CNS) depressants (which increases the risk of life-threatening
respiratory depression (US FDA, 2016)) was also common in these individuals (Krotulski et
al., 2020).

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There is limited information on the manufacture, trafficking, distribution, and use of
isotonitazene in Europe. It appears that at least some of the isotonitazene on the market has
been produced by chemical companies based in China. Although the size and scale of the
operations are unknown, isotonitazene is sold online as a powder in wholesale and small
amounts; it is also sold as ready to-use nasal sprays. Isotonitazene may also have been
sold on the illicit opioid market at street-level in at least two Member States in Europe
(Estonia and Latvia). In what appears to be a small number of cases, isotonitazene may be
deliberately sought after by some users (such as people who self-experiment with
psychoactive substances (‘psychonauts’)); others, such as those that purchase it on street-
level illicit opioids markets, may be unaware that they are using the substance which
presents an inherent risk to the individuals.

There is no information on whether or not criminal groups are involved in the manufacture,
trafficking, and distribution of isotonitazene within Europe (EMCDDA, 2020a). The impact of
the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (ECDD, 2020; EMCDDA, 2020b; WHO, 2020) on the
manufacture, trafficking, distribution, and use of isotonitazene is also currently unknown.
Based on previous experiences with disruptions to the illicit opioid markets (Ciccarone,
2019; EMCDDA, 2011; EMCDDA, 2012; Mars et al., 2019), it is conceivable, that, should the
availability of established illicit opioids, such as heroin and/or fentanyl and its derivatives, be
reduced in Europe, then criminal groups, as well as people who use opioids, especially high
risk opioid users, may substitute these substances for a range of other substances, including
2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids such as isotonitazene. These changes may be
geographically localised or broader, they may also be single ‘one off’ events, or short-lived,
or longer lasting changes. Similar to the recent experience with highly potent fentanyl
derivatives, such as acryloylfentanyl and carfentanil, such changes to the drug market may
increase the risk of life-threatening poisoning, as, currently, there is little to no experience
with the use of isotonitazene (such as doses and effects); in some cases such substitution
could manifest as outbreaks of poisoning (EMCDDA, 2018; Evans-Brown and Sedefov,
2018; Ujváry et al., 2017). These risks will be especially high in the case of people who
obtain isotonitazene from street-level illicit opioids markets who are unlikely to be aware that
they are using the substance.

There is no information on the social harms that may be caused by isotonitazene. Despite
this, it is likely that some of the risks are similar to those associated with the use of
established illicit opioids, such as heroin and fentanyl.

Based on the available information, it appears that isotonitazene is not an active substance
in a medicinal product for human use or in a veterinary medicinal product in Europe.
However, although unlikely, the use of isotonitazene as an active substance in medicinal
products prepared extemporaneously or in investigational medicinal products cannot be
excluded in some Member States (EMCDDA, 2020a). There is currently no information that
suggests isotonitazene is used for legitimate purposes other than research or forensic
application (EMCDDA, 2020a).

Isotonitazene is not controlled under the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic
Drugs, 1961, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, nor the Convention on Psychotropic
Substances of 1971 (‘United Nations system’) (UNODC, 2019a; UNODC, 2019b).

8
Isotonitazene has not been subject to assessment nor is it currently under assessment by
the United Nations system (EMCDDA, 2020a). In Europe, isotonitazene is subject to
restrictive measures in six Member States: in Estonia, Latvia, Poland, and Sweden the
substance is controlled under drug control legislation; in Lithuania it is controlled under
medicines legislation; while in the United Kingdom it is controlled by new psychoactive
substance legislation. In addition, isotonitazene is controlled under medicines legislation in
Norway. It is unknown if isotonitazene is controlled in China, where at least some of the
substance on the European market has been sourced from (EMCDDA, 2020a).

2. Chemical and physical properties, methods and the precursors

used for manufacture or extraction

2.1 Background

During the mid-1950s, attempts to develop better and safer opioid analgesics led to the
discovery of a series of 2-benzylbenzimidazole compounds with levels of analgesic potency
several orders of magnitude higher than morphine. This group of structurally distinct
analgesics was invented by the pharmaceutical research laboratories of the Swiss chemical
company CIBA Aktiengesellschaft (Hunger et al., 1957; Gross and Turrian, 1957; Hunger et
al., 1960a,b). Though this particular research effort did not yield any marketed analgesic
medicine, the bold departure from the morphine structure demonstrated that high levels of
opioid activity could be achieved by substances structurally less complex than morphine and
by substances bearing no structural resemblance to the phenanthrene skeleton of morphine.
This new series of compounds included N,N-diethyl-2-[[4-(1-methylethoxy)phenyl]methyl]-5-
nitro-1H-benzimidazole-1-ethanamine (isotonitazene), the subject of this technical report,
and the closely related homologues, etonitazene (2) and metonitazene (3), as well as
clonitazene (4). Etonitazene and clonitazene are the most intensively studied compounds
from the series (Ujváry, 2020). Shortly after their invention, and based on a notification by
the United States Government, both etonitazene and clonitazene were controlled under the
original Schedule I list of the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961
because of their ability to produce morphine-like effects, to suppress abstinence phenomena
of a known morphine addiction, as well as to sustain morphine addiction (ECAPD, 1961;
Ujváry, 2020).

Although this series of compounds was highlighted by the chemist Alexander T. Shulgin
more than 40 years ago as a ‘fertile field for the search for heroin substitutes that can be
domestically synthesized and are potent at levels that would encourage illicit investigation’
(Shulgin, 1975), until 2019, when isotonitazene was first identified on the illicit drug market,
only etonitazene had been sporadically encountered on the drug market: first in a ‘brownish
looking powder‘ in Milan, Italy, in 1966 (Branderberger, 1974), then in Germany in 1987
[cited by Sorokin et al., 1999], in Russia in 1998 and 1999 (Sorokin, 1999; Sorokin et al.,
1999), and, finally, in the United States in 2003 (Reavy, 2003; Morris, 2009).

(2) IUPAC name: N,N-diethyl-2-[(4-ethoxyphenyl)methyl]-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazole-1-ethanamine

(3) IUPAC name: N,N-diethyl-2-[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazole-1-ethanamine
(4) IUPAC name: N,N-diethyl-2-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazole-1-ethanamine

9
Although isotonitazene was one of 2-benzylbenzimidazole compounds reported in patents
and in the original study on this group of substances (Hoffmann et al., 1959; Hoffmann et al.
1960; Hunger et al., 1960b), no additional reports related to isotonitazene could be found
until its identification on the illicit drug market in 2019 (Blanckaert et al., 2020; EMCDDA,
2020a; Ujváry, 2020). As of 6 May 2020, isotonitazene is the only substance from the 2-
benzylbenzimidazole series of opioid analgesics to be identified on the European drug
market and notified to the EMCDDA through the European Union Early Warning System on
new psychoactive substances (5).

2.2 Names and chemical structure

Isotonitazene belongs to the 2-benzylbenzimidazole group of opioid analgesics. In particular,

it is a 5-nitro-2-benzylbenzimidazole. This group also includes the closely related
homologues, etonitazene and metonitazene, as well as clonitazene.

Isotonitazene differs from etonitazene and metonitazene in the substitution at the para-
position of the benzyl moiety, which is an isopropoxy group in isotonitazene, an ethoxy
group in etonitazene, a methoxy group in metonitazene. Isotonitazene differs from
clonitazene by replacement of the chloro halogen atom with the ethereal isopropoxy group.
The chemical structure and molecular properties of these compounds are provided in Figure
1 (6).

Figure 1. Chemical structure and molecular properties of isotonitazene, etonitazene,

metonitazene, and clonitazene.

Isotonitazene Etonitazene Metonitazene Clonitazene

(5) In accordance with Council Framework Decision 2004/757/JHA (as amended) and Regulation (EC) No 1920/2006 (as
amended).
(6) Another closely related substance is the n-propoxy isomer of isotonitazene, known as protonitazene (N,N-diethyl-2-[(4-
propoxyphenyl)methyl]-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazole-1-ethanamine). Protonitazene differs from isotonitazene in the substitution at
the para-position of the benzyl moiety, which is an isopropoxy group in isotonitazene and a propoxy group in protonitazene.
Information of the pharmacology of pronitazene can be found in Hunger et al., (1960b) (compound XLIII in Table I); briefly pro-
tonitazene was around 200 times more potent than morphine as an antinociceptive drug in mice, and, after etonitazene and
isotonitazene, was the third most potent substance in the series (Hunger et al., 1960b).

As discussed in section 2.5, GC-MS analysis of isotonitazene and protonitazene will result in very similar mass spectrometry
fragmentation patterns. The ability to distinguish between both isomers requires the use of analytical reference standards, ac-
cess to reference spectra for both substances, or additional analytical methods.

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 Molecular formula: Molecular formula: Molecular formula: Molecular formula:
C23H30N4O3 C22H28N4O3 C21H26N4O3 C20H23ClN4O2

Molecular weight: Molecular weight: Molecular weight: Molecular weight:

410.51 396.48 382.46 386.88

Monoisotopic Monoisotopic mass: Monoisotopic mass: Monoisotopic mass:

mass: 410.2318 396.2161 382.2005 386.1510

logP: 4.85 logP: 4.85 logP: 4.086 logP: 4.85

miLogP: 5.08 miLogP: 4.71 miLogP: 4.34 miLogP: 4.96

TPSA: 76.11 Å2 TPSA: 76.11 Å2 TPSA: 76.11 Å2 TPSA: 66.88 Å2

The octanol/water distribution coefficients logP (7) or miLogP were calculated by

Molinspiration property engine v2018.10 (8) and StarDrop® Version 6.6 software, (9)
respectively. The topological polar surface area (TPSA) (10) was calculated by StarDrop®
Version 6.6 software.

Common name:

Isotonitazene

Systematic (IUPAC) name:

N,N-diethyl-2-[[4-(1-methylethoxy)phenyl]methyl]-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazole-1-ethanamine

Other chemical names:

N,N-diethyl-2-[2-({4-[(propan-2-yl)oxy]phenyl}methyl)-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]ethan-1-
amine

N,N-diethyl-2-(2-(4-isopropoxybenzyl)-5-nitro-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)ethan-1-amine

N,N-diethyl-2-[2-(4-isopropoxybenzyl)-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]ethanamine

N,N-diethyl-2-[2-[(4-isopropoxyphenyl)methyl]-5-nitro-benzimidazol-1-yl]ethanamine

N,N-diethyl-2-[[4-(1-methylethoxy)phenyl]methyl]-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazole-1-ethanamine

(7) LogP is the logarithm of the partition of a substance between an apolar organic solvent, typically n-octanol, and water. It is
used as a measure of lipophilicity of a substance. For fentanyl, calculated logP values are 3.89 (StarDrop) and 3.79 (Molinspi-
ration), while the measured logP = 4.05 (Hansch et al., 2005).
(8) https://www.molinspiration.com/cgi-bin/properties
(9) Optibrium Ltd, Cambridge, UK.
(10) Topological polar surface area (TPSA) is a calculated measure the surface area occupied by nitrogen and oxygen atoms
and the polar hydrogen atoms attached to them. For drugs acting on the central nervous system a TPSA is usually <90 Å2. For
fentanyl, the calculated TPSA = 23.6 Å2.

11
N,N-diethyl-2-[5-nitro-2-[(4-propan-2-yloxyphenyl)methyl]benzimidazol-1-yl]ethanamine

1-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]-2-(p-isopropoxybenzyl)-5-nitrobenzimidazole

Street names:

‘iso’, 'Toni’

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry numbers:

14188-81-9 free base

119276-00-5 hydrochloride salt

IUPAC International Chemical Identifier Key (InCHI Key):

OIOQREYBGDAYGT-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Simplified Molecular-Input Line-Entry System (SMILES):

CCN(CC)CCN1C(CC2=CC=C(OC(C)C)C=C2)=NC3=CC([N+]([O-])=O)=CC=C31

2.3 Physical properties

Both the free base and salts of isotonitazene are solids.

The measured melting point for isotonitazene hydrochloride salt is 172–173 °C (Hoffmann et
al., 1960; Hunger et al., 1960b).

Isotonitazene is lipophilic (calculated logP = 4.85).

Isotonitazene, as both the freebase and the hydrochloride salt, is soluble in methanol (NPS
Discovery, 2019; Blanckaert et al., 2020) and in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (Blanckaert et
al., 2020). Although no experimental data are available, the salts of isotonitazene, similar to
etonitazene, are expected to be sufficiently water-soluble for injectable administration of
effective doses.

To date, seizures and collected samples containing isotonitazene reported to the EMCDDA
have been in brown, yellow, and white powders. In addition, isotonitazene has also been
identified in liquid form. Identifications of isotonitazene reported to the EMCDDA include both
the free base and the hydrochloride salt.

No studies have examined the stability and reactivity of isotonitazene. As a base, the
substance readily forms salts with inorganic or organic acids. Chemical reducing agents are
expected to convert the nitro group into an amino group. For metabolic conversions, see
Section 4.4 on pharmacokinetics.

12
2.4 Methods and chemical precursors used for the manufacture or extraction

There is no information on the chemical precursors or manufacturing methods used to

synthesise the isotonitazene which has been identified on the drug market in Europe.

Several routes have been developed for the synthesis of etonitazene-related 2-

benzylbenzimidazoles (Hunger et al., 1957; Hunger et al., 1960a). The synthesis of
isotonitazene is specifically described in a patent and is outlined in Figure 2 (Hoffmann et al.,
1960).

The activated chloro atom in the readily available 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene is easily

displaced by 2-diethylaminoethylamine. Regioselective reduction of the nitro function
adjacent to the alkylamino moiety of the resultant 2,4-dinitroaniline derivative is
accomplished using ammonium sulfide. Condensation of the obtained ortho-
phenylenediamine species (11) with the imidate of 4-isopropoxyphenylacetic acid, obtained
from the corresponding cyanide, affords the final product, that is isotonitazene. Purification is
accomplished by base-acid extraction followed by conversion of the free base into its
hydrochloride salt.

Although there is no information on the actual method used for the manufacture of
isotonitazene that has been identified on the drug market, one possible approach may follow
the improved method as described for etonitazene by Carroll et al. (1975). The authors
describe the method as simple, producing high yields, which can be adapted to both large
scale preparations and for the preparations of other 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids (Carroll
et al., 1975). Alternatively, alkylation by isopropyl bromide of a phenolic species
(‘desethyletonitazene’), which was reported to be a versatile precursor for other homologues
(Hoffmann et al., 1959; Hoffmann et al., 1960), may also be used to produce isotonitazene.

Figure 2. Synthesis of isotonitazene (Hoffmann et al., 1960).

Analytically confirmed detections of the closely related homologue etonitazene on the illicit
drug market in Moscow, Russia, were reported in 1998 and 1999 (Sorokin, 1999; Sorokin et

(11) IUPAC name: N1-[2-(diethylaminoethyl]-4-nitrobenzene-1,2-diamine

13
al., 1999b). Information from one of these cases noted that the substance had been
synthesised in Russia, using a modification of a method published by Hunger et al. (1960b).
These reports also noted the identification of etonitazene on the illicit drug market in
Germany in 1987, which also apparently used the synthetic route described earlier (Hunger
et al., 1960b).

Recently, a ‘one-pot’, three component synthesis producing 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids

at high yield has also been reported (Kim et al., 2011).

2.5 Methods for identification and analysis

Methods documented in the literature for the identification and analysis of isotonitazene in
physical samples include: gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS); Fourier
transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance
spectroscopy (NMR), Raman spectroscopy and ultraviolet spectroscopy; and high-
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (ADEBAR, 2020; Blanckaert et al., 2020;
Cayman Chemical, 2020a; Krotulski et al., 2020; NPS Discovery, 2019) (Table 1).
Isotonitazene is available as analytical reference material (Cayman Chemical, 2020a).

14
Table 1. Analytical methods used for the characterisation of isotonitazene in physical
samples (Ujváry, 2020).

Analytical method Reference

High-performance liquid chromatography NPSDiscovery, 2019

ADEBAR, 2020

Blanckaert et al., 2020

Ultraviolet spectroscopy Blanckaert et al., 2020

Cayman Chemical, 2020a

Infrared spectroscopy ADEBAR, 2020

Blanckaert et al., 2020

Raman spectroscopy ADEBAR, 2020

1
H NMR spectroscopy ADEBAR, 2020

Blanckaert et al., 2020

13
C NMR spectroscopy ADEBAR, 2020

Blanckaert et al., 2020

Mass spectrometry NPSDiscovery, 2019

ADEBAR, 2020

Blanckaert et al., 2020

Cayman Chemical, 2020a

15
Methods have also been documented in the literature for the identification of isotonitazene in
biological samples, which include HPLC and liquid chromatography with tandem mass
spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) (Krotulski et al., 2020). It is important to highlight the need for
increased analytical sensitivity when testing for isotonitazene in biological samples following
quantitative results from blood and urine samples which were in some cases in the sub-
nanogram per millilitre range (Krotulski et al., 2020).

It is important to note that GC-MS analysis of isotonitazene and the n-propoxy isomer of
isotonitazene, protonitazene (12), will result in very similar mass spectrometry fragmentation
patterns. The ability to distinguish between both isomers requires the use of analytical
reference standards, access to reference spectra for both substances, or additional
analytical methods. Protonitazene is available as analytical reference material (Cayman
Chemical, 2020b).

2.6 Dosage regimens

Information on the dosage regimens (13) used for isotonitazene is limited. Isotonitazene (14)
can be administered orally as a powder, as tablets, or as a solution; it can also be
administered intranasally or sublingually via spray or snorted (insufflated); inhaled by
vaporising e-liquid solutions (‘vaping’); inhaled by smoking or vaporising the ‘free base’; and
injected.

Given the illicit nature of the trade in isotonitazene, the composition of physical samples (law
enforcement seizures and collected samples) is likely to vary over time and place, as well as
based on the specific location in the drug supply chain in which the sample was obtained
from (for example, from the manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, or at street-level Illicit opioid
markets). In Europe, isotonitazene has been seized by law enforcement predominately in
powder form; in two cases it has also been seized as a liquid. Information on the amount of
isotonitazene present in seized powders (chemical purity) has not been reported, however
information from police seizures in Estonia noted the presence of ‘common sugars’ in at
least some of the samples (not specified further); while one seizure made by police in Latvia
also contained fentanyl. Results from the analysis of a collected sample of isotonitazene in
powder form that was purchased from an online vendor noted that isotonitazene was the
only substance present in the sample and no impurities were identified. The study concluded
that the sample was the hydrochloride salt of the substance in high purity (Section 5.3)
(Blanckaert et al., 2020). In Canada, isotonitazene has been identified both in powder form
as well as in falsified (fake) opioid analgesic medicines (DSPM, 2020). In the latter case, this
includes fake Dilaudid® tablets (hydromorphone hydrochloride) that were seized in February
2020 (Halifax Police, 2020).

Based on the limited information reported to the EMCDDA from police seizures, it is
presumed, but not confirmed, that isotonitazene is being injected intravenously by high risk
opioid users in some parts of Europe. Although the drug situation is different from Europe,

(12) IUPAC name for protonitazene: N,N-diethyl-2-[(4-propoxyphenyl)methyl]-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazole-1-ethanamine

(13) Dosage regimen: is information on the formulation (dosage form), route of exposure, as well as the schedule of doses of a
new psychoactive substance, including the amount taken each time, time between doses, and the duration of use.
(14) It may be assumed that seizures contain isotonitazene in a salt form, which is water-soluble. There is, however, no infor-
mation on the aqueous solubility of the salt.

16
information from a case series of 18 deaths with confirmed exposure to isotonitazene in the
United States noted that at least some of the individuals were high risk drug users and
included people who had a history of injecting opioids such as heroin. In addition,
isotonitazene was identified along with one or more other psychoactive substances
(controlled drugs and new psychoactive substances) in all the deaths, which suggests that
polydrug use was common in these individuals (Krotulski et al., 2020) (Section 6.2.2).

While formal epidemiological studies have not been performed, the small number of
anecdotal self-reported experiences on user websites suggest, that, similar to other opioid
analgesics, the dosage regimens used for isotonitazene can differ within and between
individuals. It is not possible to currently discern typically dosage regimens. These also
depend on the tolerance of the user, the use of other drugs, and the desired effects.
Furthermore, the purity, amount and/or composition of the substance ingested are not
typically known by the user. In addition, the actual composition of the substance may differ
over time and place. Nonetheless, a range of dosage regimens, including differing routes of
administration (such as intravenous injection and nasal insufflation by spray), formulations
(dosage forms), as well as the schedule of doses of isotonitazene, including the amount
taken each time, time between doses, and the duration of use, have been noted on user
websites; polydrug use has also been noted as part of some of these self-reported
experiences.

3. Legitimate use

3.1 Summary

Based on the available information, it appears that isotonitazene is not an active substance
in a medicinal product for human use or in a veterinary medicinal product in Europe.
However, although highly unlikely, the use of isotonitazene as an active substance in
medicinal products prepared extemporaneously or in investigational medicinal products
cannot be excluded in some Member States (EMCDDA, 2020a). There is currently no
information that suggests isotonitazene is used for legitimate purposes other than research
or forensic application.

3.2 Medical use

Based on information from the European Medicines Agency for the initial report (EMCDDA,
2020a), it appears that isotonitazene is not an active substance in:

• a medicinal product for human use or in a veterinary medicinal product that has
obtained a marketing authorisation in accordance with Directive 2001/83/ EC of the
European Parliament and of the Council, Directive 2001/82/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council or Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 of the European
Parliament and of the Council;

• a medicinal product for human use or in a veterinary medicinal product that is the
subject of an application for a marketing authorisation;

17
 • a medicinal product for human use or in a veterinary medicinal product whose
marketing authorisation has been suspended by the competent authority.

In addition, it appears that isotonitazene is not an active substance in the following, although
the information, especially in relation to use in extemporaneously prepared products, is
unknown in some cases:

• an unauthorised medicinal product for human use in accordance with Article 5 of

Directive 2001/83/ EC or in a veterinary medicinal product prepared extemporaneously
by a person authorised to do so under national law in accordance with point (c) of
Article 10(1) of Directive 2001/82/EC;

• an investigational medicinal product as defined in point (d) of Article 2 of Directive

2001/20/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.

3.3 Industrial, commercial, and scientific use

Isotonitazene is used as an analytical reference material in clinical and forensic case work
as well as scientific research. There is currently no information that suggests isotonitazene is
used for other legitimate purposes.

As part of the initial report process, the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) and European
Food Standard Authority (EFSA) reported to the EMCDDA that isotonitazene did not retrieve
any results in their information systems (EMCDDA, 2020a).

4. Pharmacological and toxicological properties

4.1 Summary

There is limited information on the pharmacological properties of isotonitazene. Although

isotonitazene has not been formally studied in humans, a study published in 2019 has
demonstrated that it is a highly potent, full mu-opioid receptor (MOP) agonist in vitro
(Blanckaert et al., 2020), while an animal study published in 1960 has demonstrated that it
has potent morphine-like centrally-mediated analgesic effects (Hunger et al., 1960b). Due to
its lipophilicity, isotonitazene is expected to be rapidly absorbed and readily cross the blood-
brain barrier. Taken together, this information strongly suggests that isotonitazene will act as
an opioid analgesic in humans. The major pharmacological effects of such opioid
analgesics, including their analgesic activity, are due to their activation of the MOP receptor.
Besides their analgesic properties, a notable feature associated with opioid analgesics is
that they cause dose-dependent respiratory depression, in which overdose can be life-
threatening. Other additional pharmacological effects include miosis, sedation, bradycardia,
hypothermia, constipation, physical dependence, and changes in mood such as euphoria
(Herz, 1993; Kieffer, 1999; Pasternak and Pan, 2013; Pattinson, 2008; Romberg et al.,
2003).

Although not formally studied, the psychological and behavioural effects of isotonitazene are
likely to share some similarities with those commonly reported for other opioid analgesics,

18
including: dizziness, drowsiness, mental confusion, incoordination, relaxation, and euphoria;
at higher doses, sedation and profound intoxication would be expected.

The toxicological properties of isotonitazene have not been studied. Despite the lack of
experimental data, observations that antinociceptive potency in general correlates with acute
toxicity within the 2-benzylbenzimidazole group of opioids, including for etonitazene or
metonitazene, that are both closely related homologues of isotonitazene, suggest that the
acute toxicity of isotonitazene, at least in animal models, may be much greater than
morphine and similar to that estimated for etonitazene or metonitazene.

Based on the available information, and, similar to other opioid analgesics, the most serious
acute health risk from isotonitazene is likely to be life-threatening respiratory depression
(Pattinson, 2008; Romberg et al., 2003; White and Irvine, 1999). The use of isotonitazene
with other central nervous system (CNS) depressants is likely to produce additive
depressant effects which can increase the risk of life-threatening respiratory depression (US
FDA, 2016).

The abuse liability and dependence producing potential of isotonitazene have not been
studied. However, etonitazene and metonitazene, both closely related homologues to
isotonitazene, as well other members of this group, have been studied to varying degrees.
Similar to other opioid analgesics, these studies suggest that members of the 2-
benzylbenzimidazole group of opioids, including isotonitazene, are likely to have an abuse
liability and dependence-producing potential in humans.

4.1 Pharmacodynamics

4.1.1 In vitro data

Data on the effect of isotonitazene on MOP (μ) receptors in vitro have recently been
published (Table 2) (Blanckaert et al., 2020). The MOP receptor agonist activity in a live cell-
based reporter assay of an isotonitazene sample purchased from an online vendor was
essentially identical with that of an isotonitazene reference standard (Cayman Chemical,
2020a) indicating its high purity. Receptor activation potency (EC50) and efficacy (Emax) data
show that, similar to fentanyl, isotonitazene is a highly potent, full MOP receptor agonist in
vitro. The opioid receptor antagonist naloxone antagonised MOP receptor activation by
isotonitazene. There are no comparative data available for etonitazene or metonitazene,
both closely related homologues of isotonitazene, from this study.

Table 2. Potency (EC50) and efficacy (Emax) of hydromorphone, isotonitazene reference

standard (from Cayman Chemical (2020a)), and an isotonitazene sample (from an online
vendor) in an opioid receptor activation assay. Data for fentanyl is also shown but from
unpublished results using the same assay (Blanckaert et al., 2020).

Compound EC50 (nM) Emax (%)

19
 Hydromorphone 26.3 (22.0–30.7) 100 (97.3–103)

Fentanyl 18.7 (15.1–23.3) 155 (149–161)

Isotonitazene (reference
11.1 (9.10–13.6) 180 (174–186)
standard)

Isotonitazene (online vendor) 12.9 (11.7–14.3) 183 (180–187)

No information is available on any potential activity of isotonitazene at other pharmacological

target.

4.1.2 In vivo data

Subcutaneously injected isotonitazene was 500 times more potent as morphine as an

antinociceptive drug in the mouse tail-flick assay (radiant heat method) (Hunger et al.,
1960b) (code number XLII in Table 3). Of the substances reported so far in this series
isotonitazene was the second most active after etonitazene. The tail-flick assay is a useful
assay for discriminating between centrally acting morphine-like analgesics and non-opiate
analgesics (Daniel, 2016).

Table 3. Antinociceptive potencies of isotonitazene, etonitazene and metonitazene, both

closely related homologues to isotonitazene, as well clonitazene, relative to 5 mg/kg
subcutaneously (sc) or 25 mg/kg orally administered morphine in mice; sc injection to rats
relative to 2 mg/kg morphine sc, and iv injection to rabbits relative to 3 mg/kg morphine iv.
Potency was determined by measuring delay in reaction time to radiant heat stimulation of
the mouse tail (tail-flick), by the tail pressure method in rats and by the ear-pinch reflex
method in the rabbit. Codes in Arabic numerals refer to those in the original publications
(Hunger et al., 1957; Gross and Turrian, 1957). The substance with a Roman numeral code
is isotonitazene and is from a subsequent publication (Hunger et al., 1960b; Ujváry, 2020).

20
 Code Common R1 R2 X Relative potency
number name (if any)

mouse rat rabbit

sc oral sc iv

morphine not applicable 1 1 1 1

8 clonitazene CH2CH3 4-Cl 5-NO2 3 5 1 10

13 metonitazene CH2CH3 4-OCH3 5-NO2 100 15 30 200

14 etonitazene CH2CH3 4-OCH2CH3 5-NO2 1000 1250 1000 1000

XLII isotonitazene CH2CH3 4-OCH(CH3)2 5-NO2 500 no data

4.2 Psychological and behavioural effects

The psychological and behavioural effects of isotonitazene have not been studied. Based on
the limited information on the pharmacological properties of isotonitazene, as well
information from the study of etonitazene and metonitazene, and other substances from this
group (Ujváry, 2020), it is likely that the effects of isotonitazene share some similarities with
those commonly reported for other opioid analgesics, including: dizziness, drowsiness,
mental confusion, incoordination, relaxation, and euphoria; at higher doses, sedation and
profound intoxication would be expected.

4.3 Safety pharmacology

The safety pharmacology of isotonitazene has not been studied. Based on the limited
information on the pharmacological properties of isotonitazene, as well information from the
study of etonitazene and metonitazene, and other substances from this group, and, similar
to other opioid analgesics, the most serious acute risk from the use of isotonitazene in
humans is likely to be from dose-dependent respiratory depression, which can lead to
apnoea, respiratory arrest, and death (Pattinson, 2008; Romberg et al., 2003; White and
Irvine, 1999).

21
4.4 Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of isotonitazene has not been studied. However, a recent publication
that describes a series of 18 death cases with confirmed exposure to isotonitazene in the
United States identified several common metabolites from urine and blood (Krotulski et al.,
2020). The proposed metabolic scheme is shown in Figure 3. The principal urinary
metabolites were the N-dealkylated product, the tertiary amine affording the corresponding
secondary amine derivative of isotonitazene (N-desethyl-isotonitazene or ‘nor-isotonitazene’;
M1) and the N-dealkyl-O-dealkyl species (N-desethyl-O-desisopropyl-isotonitazene; M3).
The 5-amino metabolite (M4), arising from the reduction of the 5-nitro group, was detected in
the majority of blood samples. Urinary metabolites M1 and M3 appear to be most suitable for
monitoring the ingestion of isotonitazene. The O-dealkylated metabolite M3 could also be a
useful marker of etonitazene and metonitazene ingestion as well.

Figure 3. Proposed metabolism of isotonitazene (Krotulski et al., 2020)

It is noted that the phenolic M2 was reported to be equipotent with morphine (Hunger et al.,
1960b). Although the reduced amine M4 has not been reported, the 4-ethoxy analogue, a
potential metabolite of etonitazene, is twice as potent as morphine (Hunger et al., 1960b).
Nevertheless, the contribution of metabolites M2 and M4 to the overall effects in vivo of
isotonitazene or close etonitazene analogues should be negligible. There are no
pharmacology data on metabolites M1 and M3.

The N-desethyl metabolite (M1) was also detected in urine and blood samples from a death
case with confirmed exposure to isotonitazene reported by the United Kingdom (Section 5.4;
Section 6.2.2) (EMCDDA, 2020a).

22
4.5 Toxicology

The toxicology of isotonitazene has not been studied. However, the acute toxicity of
etonitazene and metonitazene, both closely related homologues to isotonitazene, as well
other members of this group, has been studied in mice and rabbits (Gross and Turrian,
1957; Ujvary, 2020). The LD50 values in mice, and the ‘medium lethal dose’ in rabbits with or
without urethane narcosis (15) as well as respiratory depression in rabbits pretreated with
urethane for etonitazene, metonitazene, as well as clonitazene are shown in Table 4.
Mechanical ventilation or the respiratory stimulants nikethamide and bemegride
counteracted respiratory depression. Of note is that pretreatment of rabbits with the narcotic
anaesthetic urethane increased the toxicity of the compounds by several orders of
magnitude.

Despite the lack of experimental data, observations that antinociceptive potency in general
correlates with acute toxicity within this group of substances suggest that toxicity of
isotonitazene may be similar to that estimated for metonitazene or etonitazene.

While no opioid antagonist was used in this particular study, subsequent experiments with
isolated tissues (Gyang et al., 1964; Hughes et al., 1975), receptor studies in vitro (Pert and
Snyder, 1973) and experiments in vivo (Barnett et al., 1975; Aceto et al., 1994; Achat-
Mendes et al., 2009) indicated that opioid antagonists counteract etonitazene-induced
effects. Importantly, during a human clinical trial, respiratory depression and coma caused
by 1 mg subcutaneously administered metonitazene could be antagonised by prompt
intravenous injection of 5 mg of the opioid antagonist nalorphine (Bromig, 1958). More
specifically, activation of a MOP receptor preparation in vitro by isotonitazene was
antagonised by the opioid antagonist naloxone (Blanckaert et al., 2020).

Table 4. Toxic effects of selected 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids in different laboratory

animals upon oral (mouse) or intravenous (mouse and rabbit) administration. For rabbits,
acute toxicity was assessed either with or without urethane-pretreatment (1.4 g/kg
subcutaneous); the effect on respiration was studied with urethane-pretreatment (1.4 g/kg
subcutaneous) (Gross and Turrian, 1957).

Compound Mouse LD50 Rabbit toxicity (all doses in mg/kg)

(mg/kg)

Median lethal dose Dose decreasing

respiration
frequency by 50%
iv oral without urethane
urethane pretreatment

(15) Urethane (ethyl carbamate) is an narcotic anaesthetic and was used at a 1.4 g/kg subcutaneous dose in this case.

23
 Morphine 200 1000 250 1.0 0.5

Clonitazene 50 100 25 0.25 0.17

Metonitazene 50 100 50 0.025 0.010

Etonitazene 1 25 0.5 0.0025 0.0005

Isotonitazene no data

Based on the available information for isotonitazene and related substances, and similar to
other opioid analgesics, the most serious acute health risk from isotonitazene is likely to be
respiratory depression, which in overdose could lead to apnoea, respiratory arrest, and
death (Pattinson, 2008; Romberg et al., 2003; White and Irvine, 1999).

Similarly to other opioid analgesics, the use of isotonitazene with other central nervous
system (CNS) depressants, including other opioids, sedatives/hypnotics, alcohol, pregabalin,
gabapentin, tranquillisers, and sedating anti-histamines, is likely to produce additive
depressant effects which can increase the risk of life-threatening respiratory depression,
arrest, and death (US FDA, 2016).

4.6 Abuse liability and dependence producing potential

The abuse liability and dependence producing potential of isotonitazene have not been
studied. However, the abuse liability and dependence producing potential of etonitazene and
metonitazene, both closely related homologues to isotonitazene, as well other members of
this group, have been studied to varying degrees (Ujváry, 2020).

Information on etonitazene

In morphine-addicted rhesus monkeys which had received 3 mg/kg morphine for at least 3
months, subcutaneously injected etonitazene was 1500-fold while clonitazene was only two-
fold more potent than morphine sulfate in suppressing abstinence signs; the onset was rapid
but the duration of action of both of these benzimidazoles was less than that of morphine. At
the highest dose (0.002 mg/kg), jaw and body sag, scratching and rubbing face were noted
(Deneau et al., 1959; Aceto et al., 1992). The results of a single-dose substitution (SDS) test
with morphine (3.0 mg/kg) and etonitazene (0.0005 mg/kg and 0.002 mg/kg) subcutaneous
doses in rhesus monkeys are shown in Figure 4.

24
Figure 4. Single-dose substitution of morphine by two doses of etonitazene in rhesus
monkeys showing withdrawal signs after abrupt cessation of chronic morphine treatment
(Aceto et al., 1992).

The reinforcing properties of etonitazene have been demonstrated in several animal models.
For example, in rhesus monkeys, orally administered etonitazene was established as a
positive reinforcer (Carroll and Meisch, 1978).

In self-administration experiments with rhesus monkeys (Achat-Mendes et al., 2009),

etonitazene and heroin appeared to have different reinforcing properties: heroin was
consistently self-injected (0.001–0.01 mg/kg dose range) while etonitazene failed to maintain
significant levels of self-administration (0.001–1.0 μg/kg dose range (16)). It was however
noted that self-administration of an etonitazene + cocaine combination maintained a
significantly greater number of injections than did cocaine alone. Furthermore, the MOP
receptor antagonist naltrexone blocked self-administration of both etonitazene+cocaine and
heroin+cocaine combinations, but not of cocaine self-administration suggesting that MOP
receptor mechanisms are important in mediating the ‘speedball‘ effect.

In a human pain-treatment clinical study with clonitazene administered either by injection

(repeated 15–30 mg subcutaneous or intramuscular doses) or orally (repeated 50 mg
doses), tolerance did not appear to have developed after a 35-day continuous treatment and
no craving was observed in the patients (Bromig, 1958).

In stabilised morphine addicts, one mg etonitazene orally was equivalent to 59.3 mg

morphine subcutaneously (about 60-fold difference) as suppressant of abstinence
phenomena (Eddy, 1959).

(16) Doses above 1.0 g/kg cause significant respiratory depression in monkeys (Butelman et al., 1993).

25
The addictive potential in man of orally administered clonitazene and etonitazene, as
compared to morphine, was studied in non-tolerant former morphine addicts at the Addiction
Research Center, US Public Health Service Hospital of the US National Institute of Health
(Fraser et al., 1960; Wikler, 1960). In ‘single dose’ oral administrations, clonitazene (NIH-
7586; 100 mg) appeared to be about one-third to one-fifth as potent as morphine sulfate (20
and 30 mg) and roughly equivalent to codeine (60 or 90 mg), while etonitazene (NIH-7607;
0.25 mg) was more than 80 to 120 times as effective as morphine as a euphoriant. Both
clonitazene and etonitazene caused miosis. Furthermore, both drugs suppressed abstinence
symptoms: 2.62 mg of clonitazene orally was equivalent to 1 mg of morphine given
subcutaneously while 1 mg of etonitazene orally, was equivalent to 59.3 mg morphine
subcutaneously. In double-blind direct addiction tests involving 8 patients, orally
administered etonitazene was not always classified as subcutaneously injected morphine- or
heroin-like; in some cases effects resembling barbiturates were mentioned. Though patients
reported preference to morphine or heroin over etonitazene, they were impressed by the
hypnotic actions of etonitazene. Abrupt discontinuation following repeated administration of
etonitazene, morphine or heroin, ‘moderately severe abstinence syndrome ensued during
the next ten days’. The study concluded that both clonitazene and etonitazene have
addictive potential comparable to that of morphine.

It is of note that that no euphoria was observed in patients receiving clonitazene 30 mg

parenteral or 50 mg oral doses during a pain treatment trial (Bromig, 1958).

In 1960, in their assessment etonitazene and clonitazene the World Health Organization
(WHO) Expert Committee on Addiction-Producing Drugs stated their ability to produce
morphine-like effects, to suppress abstinence phenomena of a known morphine addiction,
as well as to sustain morphine addiction, and recommended both drugs to be placed under
international control (ECAPD, 1961).

Tolerance, or dose escalation in illicit opioid users in particular, apparently develops for all
opioids and this observation extends to etonitazene (Walker and Young, 2001; Morgan and
Christie, 2011).

Information on metonitazene

In morphine-addicted monkeys, subcutaneously injected metonitazene was a hundred-times

more potent than morphine sulfate (0.03 mg/kg versus 3 mg/kg) in suppressing abstinence
signs; the duration of action is about one-half that of morphine (Deneau et al., 1959; Ujvary,
2020).

5. Extent and patterns of use, availability, and potential for

diffusion

5.1 Summary

There is limited information on the extent and patterns of use, availability, and potential for
diffusion of isotonitazene in Europe.

26
Isotonitazene has been available on the drug market in Europe since at least April 2019,
when it was seized for the first time by police in Estonia. The most recent identification of
isotonitazene reported to the EMCDDA is a seizure made by police in Latvia in January
2020. As of 1 May 2020, it has been identified in six Member States: Belgium, Estonia,
Germany, Latvia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. These detections relate to police
seizures reported by Estonia, Germany, and Latvia; a customs seizure reported by Sweden;
a collected sample reported by Belgium; and biological samples from a death case reported
by the United Kingdom. While the seized quantities are relatively small, they should be seen
within the context of the possible high potency of isotonitazene (Section 4.1).

It appears that at least some of the isotonitazene on the market in Europe has been
produced by chemical companies based in China, although the size and scale of this
production is unknown. Isotonitazene is sold online as a powder in wholesale and small
amounts; it is also sold as ready to-use nasal sprays. Based on limited information from
police seizures reported from two Member States (Estonia and Latvia) it is presumed, but
not confirmed, that isotonitazene has been sold on the illicit opioid market at street-level and
being injected intravenously by people who use opioids.

Isotonitazene may be deliberately sought after by some users, such as those who self-
experiment with a range of psychoactive substances (so-called ‘psychonauts’) (Section 2.6);
others, such as those that purchase it at street-level, may be unaware that they are using
the substance which presents an inherent risk to the individuals. Although the drug situation
is different from Europe, information from a case series of 18 deaths with confirmed
exposure to isotonitazene in the United States found that at least some of the individuals
were high risk drug users and included people who had a history of injecting opioids such as
heroin (Krotulski et al., 2020; Power, 2020). In addition, isotonitazene was identified along
with one or more other psychoactive substances (controlled drugs and new psychoactive
substances) in all the deaths, which suggests that polydrug use was common in these
individuals (Krotulski et al., 2020). In particular, the use of other CNS depressants such as
other opioids and benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotics was very common in these individuals
(Section 6.2.2).

As isotonitazene has only been on the drug market for a short period of time, it may not be
part of drug screening in many forensic and toxicology laboratories in Europe. Therefore, the
presence of isotonitazene on the European drug market may be undetected in some areas,
including in law enforcement seizures as well as in biological samples related to serious
adverse events. Furthermore, analytical sensitivity related to the analysis of biological
samples from serious adverse events may also be a potential issue as the concentration of
isotonitazene or its metabolites can be sub-nanogram to picogram (similar to the highly
potent opioid carfentanil) which highlights a need for increased analytical sensitivity when
testing for the substance. In addition, due to differences in reporting practices across
Europe, identifications of isotonitazene may be unreported to the Reitox national focal
points, and, as a result, to the EMCDDA. It is also important to note that, in some settings,
there may be delays in detecting and reporting detections of isotonitazene due to reduced
capacity of early warning systems, including forensic science and toxicology laboratories, as
a result of the impact of the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by

27
the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (ECDC, 2020; WHO,
2020).

More generally, the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (ECDD, 2020; WHO, 2020)
on the manufacture, trafficking, distribution, and use of isotonitazene is currently unknown.
Based on previous experiences with disruptions to the illicit opioid markets (Ciccarone,
2019; EMCDDA, 2011; EMCDDA, 2012; Mars et al., 2019), it is conceivable, that, should
there be a reduced availability of established illicit opioids in Europe, such as heroin as well
as fentanyl and its derivatives, then criminal groups, as well as people who use opioids,
especially high risk opioid users, may substitute these substances for a range of other
substances, including 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids such as isotonitazene. These changes
may be geographically localised or broader, they may also be single ‘one off’ events, or
short-lived, or longer lasting changes. Similar to the recent experience with highly potent
fentanyl derivatives, such as acryloylfentanyl and carfentanil, such changes to the drug
market may increase the risk of life-threatening poisoning, as, currently, there is little to no
experience with the use of isotonitazene (such as how to dose the substance and the effects
it can cause); in some cases such substitution could manifest as outbreaks of poisoning
(EMCDDA, 2018; Evans-Brown and Sedefov, 2018; Ujváry et al., 2017). These risks will be
especially high in the case of people who obtain isotonitazene from street-level illicit opioids
markets who are unlikely to be aware that they are using the substance.

5.2 Information from seizures

Law enforcement seizures of isotonitazene have been reported to the EMCDDA by four
Member States: Estonia, Latvia, Germany, and Sweden. In total, 24 seizures were reported
(1 made by customs; 23 made by police). In 22 cases isotonitazene was seized in powder
form (total of 109.6 g of powder) and in two cases in liquid form (4.5 g). Where known, the
seizures took place between April 2019 and January 2020.

5.2.1 Customs seizures

Sweden reported a seizure of isotonitazene that was made by customs. The seizure took
place in September 2019. A total of 48.8 g of powder was seized; the colour was described
as yellow. Information on the amount of isotonitazene present in the seized powder
(chemical purity) was not reported. The seized package originated from China and the
destination was Sweden.

5.2.2 Police seizures

A total of 23 seizures of isotonitazene made by police were reported three Member States:
Estonia (n=17), Latvia (n=4), and Germany (n=2) (17). Where known, the seizures took place
between April 2019 and January 2020.

In 21 cases, isotonitazene was seized in powder form totalling 60.8 g (range 0.013 to 19.8
g); the colour of the powder was described as brown in some of the cases reported by

(17) Seizures of isotonitazene made by police have also been reported in Canada. Physical forms seized include powders and
falsified (fake) opioid analgesic medicines (Section 2.6).

28
Estonia. Information on the amount of isotonitazene present in the seized powders (chemical
purity) was not reported. Estonia reported that the only other substances detected in the
powders were ‘common sugars’ (not further specified); Latvia reported that one seizure also
contained fentanyl. Estonia reported that some of the seizures related to small-scale
distribution/supply. In one case reported by Latvia, powders of isotonitazene were found in
19 individual foil packages also suggesting small-scale distribution/supply.

In two cases reported by Germany, the seized products were liquids (product name:
‘ISOTONITAZEN EXTRA STRONG‘) and also contained trace amounts of the synthetic
cannabinoid 5F-MDMB-P7AICA. Information on the amount of isotonitazene present in the
seized liquids (strength) was not reported.

5.3 Information from collected samples

Belgium reported a collected sample of isotonitazene to the EMCDDA. It was a test

purchase made by the national focal point via a private Telegram-group linked to a private
website. The sample was incorrectly advertised as ‘etonitazene’. The cost was $400 per 1 g.
It was received as a white powder in a plastic zip-lock bag which was then packaged inside
a foil bag, with the label ‘iso’. Based on the analyses conducted it was reported that the
sample was of ‘high purity’ (Blanckaert et al., 2020).

5.4 Information from biological samples

The United Kingdom reported post-mortem biological samples (blood and urine) to the
EMCDDA from a death in which isotonitazene was identified. Butyrylfentanyl, despropionyl
fentanyl (4-ANPP), and despropionyl fluorofentanyl were also identified in the biological
samples. All the substances were estimated to be at sub ng/ml) levels. The death occurred
in 2019; no further details are currently available (Section 6.2.2).

6. Health risks

6.1 Summary

Based on the available information for isotonitazene the most serious acute health risk from
isotonitazene is likely to be respiratory depression, which in overdose could lead to apnoea,
respiratory arrest, and death (Pattinson, 2008; Romberg et al., 2003; White and Irvine,
1999). Although there is no reported clinical experience with poisonings cases by
jsotonitazene, based on the pharmacological properties of the substance, naloxone is
expected to work as an antidote (Boyer, 2012; Kim and Nelson, 2015). Similarly to other
opioids analgesics, the use of isotonitazene with other central nervous system (CNS)
depressants, is likely to produce additive depressant effects which can increase the risk of
life-threatening respiratory depression and arrest (US FDA, 2016).

A total of 2 deaths involving isotonitazene have been reported to the EMCDDA. The role of
isotonitazene in these deaths is unknown.

29
There is no information on the chronic health effects of isotonitazene, including abuse
liability and dependence production potential. Similar to established opioids, the chronic
health risks might share some similarities to those seen with established illicit opioids, such
as heroin and fentanyl. This may include dependence.

6.2 Acute health effects

Based on the available information for isotonitazene, as well as for etonitazene and
metonitazene, both closely related homologues to isotonitazene, as well other members of
this group, and, similar to other MOP receptor agonists, the most serious acute health risk
from isotonitazene is likely to be respiratory depression, which in overdose could lead to
apnoea, respiratory arrest, and death (Pattinson, 2008; White and Irvine, 1999). This risk
may be greater due to the fact that isotonitazene is the first of the 2-benzylbenzimidazole
opioids to be identified on the drug market in recent years, and users have no experience
with this family of opioids, including a lack of information on what doses to use and what
effects the substance can have.

Although there is no information on the clinical features of poisoning caused by

isotonitazene, they are likely to include the opioid overdose triad of miosis, reduced level of
consciousness or unconsciousness, and respiratory depression.

Although there is no reported clinical experience with poisonings caused by isotonitazene,

based on the pharmacological properties of the substance, naloxone is expected to work as
an antidote in reversing respiratory depression (Boyer, 2012; Kim and Nelson, 2015).

Similarly to other opioids analgesics, the use of isotonitazene with other central nervous
system (CNS) depressants, including other opioids, sedatives/hypnotics, alcohol, pregabalin,
gabapentin, tranquillisers, and sedating anti-histamines, is likely to produce additive
depressant effects which can increase the risk of life-threatening respiratory depression and
arrest (US FDA, 2016). Information from Europe on polydrug use with isotonitazene is
limited to a single death case reported by the United Kingdom where other opioids,
specifically fentanyl derivatives, were identified. Although the drug situation is different from
Europe, information from a case series of 18 deaths in the United States found that polydrug
use among these individuals was common, including a majority who used one or more CNS
depressant, especially other opioids and benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotics.

6.2.1 Acute poisonings

No cases of acute poisoning involving isotonitazene have been reported to the EMCDDA or
published in the scientific literature.

6.2.2 Deaths

Deaths reported in Europe

A total of two deaths involving isotonitazene have been reported to the EMCDDA by
Germany and the United Kingdom. No further information is currently available for the death
reported by Germany. The United Kingdom reported a death with confirmed exposure to

30
isotonitazene that occurred in 2019. Alongside isotonitazene, butyrylfentanyl, despropionyl
fentanyl (4-ANPP), and despropionyl fluorofentanyl were also identified in postmortem
biological samples; all the substances were estimated to be below ng/ml concentrations. No
further details on the case are currently available. The role of isotonitazene in these deaths
is unknown.

Deaths reported elsewhere

Canada

Isotonitazene has been identified in 3 deaths in Canada during 2019. The deaths occurred in
Alberta in March, September, and October 2019. No further details are available
(Toxicovigilance Canada, 2019). The role of isotonitazene in these deaths is unknown.

United States

Krotulski et al. (2020) have recently published a report of 18 deaths with confirmed exposure
to isotonitazene in the United States; all cases were medico-legal death investigations. The
role of isotonitazene in these deaths is unknown.

The deaths occurred between August 2019 and January 2020 and were from the
Midwestern United States: Illinois (n=9), Indiana (7), Minnesota (1), and Wisconsin (1). The
majority of individuals were male (n=12; 67%). The mean age was 41±12 years (median 41
years) and ranged from 24 to 66 years.

The mean concentration of isotonitazene in blood samples (N=18) was 2.2±2.1 ng/mL
(median 1.75 ng/mL, range 0.4-9.5 ng/mL) (central or peripheral blood). The lowest
concentration of isotonitazene in blood was 0.4 ng/mL and was encountered in two cases in
which no other opioids were present (case 8 and case 10). The mean concentration of
isotonitazene in urine samples (N=6) was 2.4±1.4 ng/mL (median 2.7 ng/mL, range 0.6-4.0
ng/mL). The concentration of isotonitazene in a single sample of vitreous fluid was 0.1
ng/mL.

Isotonitazene was identified in all the biological samples that were analysed in this study
(blood, urine, vitreous fluid), which may suggest the usefulness of this analyte for drug
testing purposes. It is important to note that, similar to the highly potent opioid carfentanil,
quantitative results for isotonitazene were low to sub-nanogram per millilitre concentrations,
highlighting the need for increased analytical sensitivity when testing for the substance.
Details on the identification and characterisation of metabolites in blood and urine are also
provided in the report (Krotulski et al., 2020) (Section 5.4).

Based on information from the death investigations (n=8) and forensic toxicology results
(n=18), at least some of the individuals were high risk drug users and included people who
had a history of injecting established illicit opioids, such as heroin and fentanyl.
Isotonitazene was identified along with one or more other psychoactive substances
(controlled drugs and new psychoactive substances) in all the deaths, which suggests that
polydrug use was common in these individuals. Briefly, among other findings in blood:

31
 • In addition to isotonitazene, one or more other types of opioids were identified in 10
(56%) of the cases; these included fentanyl (n=6), morphine (n=3) (including 6-
monoacetylmorphine in one case), tramadol (n=4), piperidylthiambutene (n=2), and U-
47,700 (n=1). Isotonitazene was the only opioid identified in the remaining 8 cases.

• Benzodiazepines were identified in 16 (89%) of the cases; most of the identifications

related to flualprazolam (n=11) or etizolam (n=8) (18).

• Stimulants were identified in 6 (33%) of the cases: cocaine was identified in 4 (22%)
cases; amphetamine and methamphetamine were identified in 2 (11%) cases (in one
of these cases MDMA and MDA were also identified).

• Naloxone (an antidote used in opioid overdose) was identified in 6 (33%) of the cases.
This includes 2 cases where isotonitazene was the only opioid identified.

6.2.3 Driving and operating machinery under influence

The effect of isotonitazene on the ability to drive and operate machinery has not been
studied. However, it is well established that opioid analgesics impair the mental and physical
ability to drive and operate machinery. This effect is likely to extend to isotonitazene.

6.3 Chronic health effects

There is no information on the chronic health effects of isotonitazene. Similar to established

opioids, the chronic health risks might share some similarities to those seen with
established illicit opioids, such as heroin and fentanyl. This may include dependence
(Section 4.6).

Based on the limited information reported to the EMCDDA from police seizures, it is
presumed, but not confirmed, that isotonitazene is being injected intravenously by high risk
opioid users in some parts of Europe. Although the drug situation is different from Europe,
information from a case series of 18 deaths with confirmed exposure to isotonitazene in the
United States noted that at least some of the individuals were high risk drug users and
included people who had a history of injecting opioids such as heroin (Krotulski et al., 2020).
As such, and similar to the use of established illicit opioids, there is a risk of transmission of
blood-borne infections, such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, if injecting equipment is
shared (Degenhardt et al., 2016; EMCDDA, 2020b).

7. Social risks

There have been no studies on the social risks of isotonitazene. Given that isotonitazene
acts as an opioid analgesic, any such risks may have some similarities with those
associated with established illicit opioids such as heroin as well as fentanyl and its
derivatives.

(18) Flualprazolam and etizolam are monitored by the EMCDDA as new psychoactive substances. The substances were re-
cently controlled under the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, over concerns of the public health
threats that they pose (UNODC, 2020).

32
7.1 Individual social risks

There is no information on the individual social risks that may be associated with the use of
isotonitazene. Given that isotonitazene acts as an opioid analgesic, any such risks may have
some similarities with those associated with established illicit opioids. These risks may
negatively impact on education or career, family or other personal and social relationships
and may result in marginalisation.

7.2 Possible effects on direct social environment

There is no information on the possible effects of isotonitazene on the direct social

environment. Given that isotonitazene acts as an opioid analgesic, any such effects may
have some similarities with those associated with the use of established illicit opioids.

7.3 Possible effects on society as a whole

There is no information on the possible effects of isotonitazene on society as a whole. Given

that isotonitazene acts as an opioid analgesic, any such effects may have some similarities
with those associated with the use of established illicit opioids.

7.4 Economic costs

There are no information on the health and social costs related to isotonitazene. Given that
isotonitazene acts as an opioid analgesic, any such costs may have some similarities with
those associated with the use of established illicit opioids.

7.5 Possible effects related to the cultural context, for example marginalisation

There is no information on the possible effects of isotonitazene related to the cultural

context. Given that isotonitazene acts as an opioid analgesic, any such effects may have
some similarities with those associated with the use of established illicit opioids.

7.6 Possible appeal to specific population groups within the general

population

Based on limited information, alongside what appears to be small-scale interest in

isotonitazene by people who self-experiment with psychoactive substances (so-called
‘psychonauts’), it is presumed, but not confirmed, that isotonitazene is being injected
intravenously by high risk opioid users in some parts of Europe. Although the drug situation
is different from Europe, information from a case series of 18 deaths with confirmed
exposure to isotonitazene in the United States noted that at least some of the individuals
were high risk drug users and included people who had a history of injecting opioids such as
heroin (Krotulski et al., 2020). Based of this information and that isotonitazene acts as an
opioid analgesic, it is reasonable to assume that isotonitazene may be sought by those
looking for ‘legal’ substitutes for established illicit opioids, such as heroin, as well as fentanyl
and its derivatives, and/or prescription opioids.

33
7.7 Involvement of criminal groups in the manufacture, distribution and
distribution methods, and trafficking

There is no information on whether or not criminal groups are involved in the manufacture,
trafficking, and distribution of isotonitazene within Europe (EMCDDA, 2020a). The impact of
the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (ECDD, 2020; EMCDDA, 2020b; WHO, 2020) on the
manufacture, trafficking, distribution, and use of isotonitazene is also currently unknown.
Based on previous experiences with disruptions to the illicit opioid markets (Ciccarone,
2019; EMCDDA, 2011; EMCDDA, 2012; Mars et al., 2019), it is conceivable, that, should the
availability of established illicit opioids, such as heroin and/or fentanyl and its derivatives, be
reduced in Europe, then criminal groups, as well as people who use opioids, especially high
risk opioid users, may substitute these substances for a range of other substances, including
2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids such as isotonitazene.

8. Other relevant information

8.1 Information on restrictive measures

8.1.1 International restrictive measures

At international level, Isotonitazene is not controlled under the United Nations Single
Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, or the Convention
on Psychotropic Substances of 1971 (‘United Nations system’) (UNODC, 2019a; UNODC,
2019b). Isotonitazene has not been subject to assessment nor is it currently under
assessment by the United Nations system (EMCDDA, 2020a).

8.1.2 National restrictive measures

Twenty two Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta,
the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain) reported that
isotonitazene is not subject to restrictive measures at national level. Turkey also reported
that isotonitazene is not subject to restrictive measures at national level (EMCDDA, 2020a).

Isotonitazene is subject to restrictive measures in six Member States: in Estonia, Latvia,

Poland, and Sweden the substance is controlled under drug control legislation; in Lithuania it
is controlled under medicines legislation; while in the United Kingdom it is controlled by new
psychoactive substance legislation. In addition, isotonitazene is controlled under medicines
legislation in Norway (EMCDDA, 2020a).

It is unknown if isotonitazene is controlled in China, where at least some of the substance on

the European market has been sourced from.

34
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